Prison needle exchange 'makes sense'

Drug support groups have dismissed criticism of a plan to set up a needle exchange program at Canberra's jail.

The ACT Government wants to introduce a needle exchange program at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

It is considering a report by the Public Health Association which recommends changes to ACT law to require such a program be established.

The report proposes three models, recommending a contained program at the jail's health centre that could be run by either a non-government organisation or ACT Health.

The report has received a mixed response from politicians but has been welcomed by drug support groups.

Public health organisation Anex has developed needle and syringe program protocols for Victoria.

Anex CEO John Ryan says it is all about preventing the spread of diseases.

"Sometimes up 100 other people have used that one needle. So the needle and syringe program is there for effectively two core reasons - one to prevent HIV infection, and two, hepatitis and other infectious diseases," he said.

John Rogerson from the Australian Drug Foundation says a needle exchange program makes sense.

"Providing needles to people who use drugs, and there is unfortunately lots of drug use in prison, is a way of actually saving money," he said.

"It is much cheaper to treat someone and provide them with needles than to actually treat them later on when they have a much bigger problem."

Prison guards are vehemently opposed to the idea, saying they do not want prisoners using needles as weapon.

The ACT Opposition is also critical, saying it would condone illicit drug use.

Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr acknowledges the concerns, but says disease and drug use in prisons are not going away.

"You can't just put your head in the sand here. You do need a mature and a rational response to what is a significant public health issue," he said.

Prison lockdown

Meanwhile there has been another security incident at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

The prison was locked down for several hours on Thursday after a computer glitch caused electronic doors to malfunction.

A similar but more serious incident happened in May.

The Government insists the jail is operating well but Opposition Leader Zed Seselja disagrees.

"We had another lockdown because of a security incident. We've seen they've run out of space, they've had to bring in bunk beds. We've seen all sorts of major issues at the prison and now they're saying trust us, we can manage a needle exchange program," he said.